Fresh off the back of assisting to co-ordinate a successful Australian Catholic Youth Festival – held in Perth in December 2019 – Catholic Youth Ministry announced its new leader in Adeline Bock as Acting Director. With Anita Parker on extended maternity leave and Vincent Haber moving to Sydney to take up a role as Faith Education Officer – Confraternity of Christian Doctrine for the Archdiocese of Sydney, Adeline emerged as the ideal candidate to lead young Catholics of Perth. The Record chats with Adeline for her plans with CYM this year.
Q: Why did you apply for the role of Acting Director when it became available?
A: I have been with CYM for three years now. I initially started in a contract role in 2018 and was extended with ACYF19. Last year, the Lord opened another door when the Archdiocese was looking for an eight-month maternity cover position for the director of CYM. With the encouragement of close friends and family, I went for it and got the job. I believe this is a place the Lord wants me to be in, and I am looking forward to the many gifts and challenges that comes along with it. I know that the Lord will continue to guide me powerfully through the Holy Spirit.
I first started in CYM as a ‘Year of Youth’ project worker. At that time, I had been a corporate accountant for about four years. With the encouragement of people around me, I applied for the role. It was a contract role and I figured “I could get out if I do not like it”. But as it turns out, when you are open to the calling of the Lord, He does take you up on that offer! I have never look back since.
When I first move here as a graduate accountant, I had just finished my semester in Texas, USA. While I was in Texas, I was invited to a couple of youth events that I thoroughly enjoyed. When I move to Perth, I was looking for a sense of belonging and so I started becoming a youth leader at St Emilie De Vialar Church, Canning Vale Parish. Later on, I met my husband Alwin – who is a youth leader at Santa Clara Church, Bentley Parish – and once we were married, we continued to serve in youth ministry in Bentley.
I find joy in affirming young people of their identity in Christ. Often when I see young people, they have an identity, but they do not know it or they have believed the lies of the secular world. So they go around searching and yet to find their lives unfulfilled. Therefore, I always take the opportunity to affirm that they are beloved sons and daughters of God. God is in love with them! It is an unconditional love, freely given to them. There is nothing they can do to take this away. So if there are thoughts in your minds that doubt your identity, I ask you to stop listening to them!
Q: What are your hopes for CYM Perth as you take on this new responsibility?
A: There are many plans for this year! For starters, riding on the enthusiasm from ACYF, we are hoping to continue working closely with our youth leaders through formation, training and discipleship across the Archdiocese in continuing to provide a space for young people to growing in their faith journey. We have also identified a great need for young adults’ ministries. Young adults are looking for deeper formation and growth in their faith. We are also looking at continuing the good working relationships with Catholic Education Western Australia in advocating for youth ministry and supporting the connection of students and teachers to their local faith community. I am a strong believer that if we work together, we can achieve greater things in our Archdiocese.
Q: How was your ACYF experience, especially being the host city – and being part of the planning process?
A: It was fantastic! Of course, there are challenges. However, it was great being a part of this great event because nearly 5500 young people were present and it was great seeing their transformation through their encounter with Christ. Some of the other great outcomes was that we had a chance to work very closely with the other agencies of the Archdiocese and namely with CEWA, and that has really fuelled our relationship in giving us more opportunities to work together in the future.
Q: Is there any advice former Acting Director Vincent Haber has passed on to you that you will treasure and take on board for this role?
A: Vincent is one of the best leaders that I’ve had a chance to work with. One of his advice is always to invest in people. He is very relational and I have seen many great things as a result of us investing in people, especially the young people.
Q: What is your mission for 2020?
A: My mission this year will be:
- Continue the momentum post-ACYF and taking youth ministry to greater heights!
- Building presence of young adults within the Archdiocese.
- Continue our working relationship with the schools and supporting the schools in connecting students to the wider youth ministry community.
- Working and supporting all the different youth ministries across the Archdiocese, I am a strong believer that together, we are stronger!
Q: Is there any you’d like to touch on that we haven’t mentioned?
A: I would like to ask for all your prayers and intercession for the work CYM team does and for youth ministry. We need prayer warriors interceding for us so that we may bring more young people to Christ!